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LISTENING ROOM CONCERT SERIES

DAVID JACOBS-STRAIN WITH BOB BEACHROOTS AND BLUES #SONGFESTFAMILYFRIDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2019DOORS AT 7:00PM /SHOW AT 7:30PM$15 IN ADVANCE $20 DAY OF SHOW ​

David Jacobs-Strain is a fierce slide guitar player, and a song poet from Oregon. He’s known for both his virtuosity and spirit of emotional abandon; his live show moves from humorous, subversive blues, to delicate balladry, and then swings back to swampy rock and roll. It’s a range that ties Jacobs-Strain to his own generation and to guitar-slinger troubadours like Robert Johnson and Jackson Browne. “I try to make art that you can dance to, but I love that darker place, where in my mind, Skip James, Nick Drake, and maybe Elliot Smith blur together.” His new album, “Geneseo,” speaks of open roads, longing hearts and flashbacks of Oregon– a record of emotions big and small, and lyrics that turn quickly from literal to figurative. “I’m fascinated by the way that rural blues inscribes movement and transience. The music that frees a singer keeps them on the run; there’s a crossroads where a thing can be enchanting but dangerous; damaging but beautiful.”

Jacobs-Strain began playing on street corners and at farmers markets as a teenager, and bought his first steel guitar with the quarters he saved up. Before he dropped out of Stanford to play full time, he had already appeared at festivals across the country, often billed as a blues prodigy, but he had to fight to avoid being a novelty act: “I wanted to tell new stories, it just wasn’t enough to relive the feelings in other people’s music.”

David Jacobs-Strain has appeared at festivals from British Columbia to Australia, including Merlefest, Telluride Blues Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Hardly Strictly, Bumbershoot, and Blues to Bop in Switzerland. He’s taught at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch, and at fifteen years old was on the faculty at Centrum’s Blues and Heritage workshop. On the road, he’s shared the stage with Lucinda Williams, Boz Scaggs (more than 60 shows), Etta James, The Doobie Brothers, George Thorogood, Robert Earle Keen, Todd Snider, Taj Mahal, Janis Ian, Tommy Emmanuel, Bob Weir, T-Bone Burnett, and Del McCoury.

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The Black LilliesSaturday March 2, 2019Doors 7pm/Show 7:30pm$20 in Advance/$25 at Door

As The Black Lillies reacquainted fans with the band’s new look and sound through a series of videos over the course of 2017, a few questions began to percolate in their minds:Is a new album in the works? Was this an indication of the band’s new sound? Does Sam Quinn — the band’s bass player, harmony vocalist (with an occasional lead) and a partner in the songwriting duties of frontman Cruz Contreras — own a shirt?The short answers: Yes; kind of but not really; and … yeah, but he prefers the weather fine enough to go without.“The Sprinter Sessions” were a series of live videos recorded at stops around the country, from the frozen cityscape of Philadelphia in late winter to the side of a Midwestern backroad with fallow fields stretching to the horizon. In various combinations, the Lillies — Contreras, Quinn, guitarist/songwriter Dustin Schaefer and drummer/songwriter Bowman Townsend — committed themselves to recording a brand new song every week. They weren’t lavishly orchestrated or fully fleshed out; sometimes lyrics had been written mere minutes prior to the broadcast. The songs were performed on acoustic instruments still grimy from shows the night before, and the guys didn’t bother to pick out their finest threads. Quinn, more often than not, played shirtless. Hence the aforementioned question.“You’re putting songs out there that weren’t finished, weren’t perfectly arranged, and we might barely have been able to perform them,” Contreras says. “We might be tired or hungover, playing them at a truck stop or wherever. It wasn’t glamorous — but it held us accountable to that a rate of productivity that was really important, and it kept our fans up to speed with the evolution of the group — even if a lot of them did offer to send us clothes or food!”More than anything else, “The Sprinter Sessions” set the stage for “Stranger to Me,” the new album by the Lillies that drops Sept. 28 on Attack Monkey/Thirty Tigers. It’s been a slow roll-out, but the new record is the sound of a band that’s been renewed and reinvigorated, anchored to the traditions that made it so beloved by so many but chiseled down to the bare essentials:Four men. Four friends. Four artists, each of whom could rightly put out a solo record tomorrow, tied together by a bond to something that’s greater than the sum of its parts.“Going from a six-piece to a four-piece, it’s given these guys space to shine and grow and evolve, and the chemistry has gotten better,” says Contreras, who in another life was the mandolin-shredding bandleader of Robinella and the CCstringband, once signed to both the Columbia and Dualtone labels. “These guys have become not just sidemen or guns for hire; they’re invested. Their opinions count, and their creativity is as much a part of this record as mine. There are songs that I wrote; that Sam (a veteran of the Americana group The Everybodyfields) wrote; that we wrote in any combination and all of us together.“It’s pretty simple, when you get down to that romantic notion of having a band. We rehearse together, we travel together, we hang out together because we’re dedicated, and I think the music is really showing that now. For me, it’s been years of learning to set your ego aside, but experience teaches you that you have to.”Making room for other voices in the band was vital in rekindling Quinn’s creative fires. The winner of the 2006 Merlefest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest and a respected solo artist after The Everybodyfields folded, the well had dried up for him back home in Knoxville until a spot opened in The Black Lillies. Working with Contreras, Townsend and then Schaefer, Quinn says, was akin to tossing gasoline on the smoldering embers of his songwriting chops.“It’s like, when the itch hits, that’s the time to scratch it,” he said. “Office Depot is now my favorite place. I’m always buying paper and pens and destroying them, because I write all the time. Right now, I’m looking at four legal pads, a notebook, a journal and a bunch of stolen hotel paper. It’s a bit of a neurosis, I’m afraid, but I want to be a better writer, and this band is an outlet to become that.”The band wears its influences on its sleeve for every song of the new record. Laurel Canyon breezes blow up dust from the SoCal desert on the Eagles-tinged “Out of the Blue,” Townsend pounds out a methodical rhythm that sets the stage for glorious harmonies on “Don’t Be Afraid,” and “No Other Way” sounds like a distant cousin of Wilco’s “Outtasite (Outta Mind)” with its freight-train hooks, courtesy of Schaefer’s six-string alchemy that manages to lift every song from great to sublime. “Snakes and Telephones,” another lead by Quinn, swirls with psychedelic overtones and torch ballad longing.“We put 13 songs on it, but we had trouble pairing it down to 13 — and that’s a good problem to have, because we’re already talking about doing a follow-up, acoustic EP of the ones that got cut,” Contreras says. “Will we do it? Who knows. Will Sam be wearing a shirt when we do it? Who knows!“We just don’t want to be a throwback band. We want what we do to sound new and fresh and modern, and I think even the album cover of ‘Stranger to Me’ represents that. It’s sharp, and it’s smart, and the mountains are a nod to both recording in Asheville and the house we did a lot of the pre-production in, which was this 1960s, modern-nouveaux place that looks like it belongs in the Hollywood Hills. And that ties back into the fact that while there’s a mountain quality to this record, it’s a departure as well.“We’re venturing out from a pure East Tennessee sound, and hopefully that comes through,” he adds. “Our voices, especially mine and Sam’s, are unique to that region, but production wise, we wanted this to really reflect the direction in which we’re going.”

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GARETH ASHER IN CONCERTMARCH 7th -ThursdayDoor 7pm Concert 7:30$15 in adv $20 at the doorPromoting new album “Defend the Flame”With lyricism reflecting and celebrating the inner struggles we face through life’s smiles and tears, “Defend the Flame” reminds us to accept and release the emotions that can often feel insurmountable within us. This message is one that has no doubt been felt throughout much of his previous music, but with this album, Gareth lays himself bare in a way that he has not shared before. The honesty in the tone of these new and precious songs is one that will leave you feeling more connected to the self and perhaps a little lighter with the knowledge that you are not alone. Welcoming Gareth Asher back to the harbor! #SongFestFamily... he played 1st and 2nd years

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Listen Up: One of Summer Festival Season’s Top Ten Acts"I’d never heard of Madison, WI’s The Jimmys before I saw them at Bluesfest. Led by Jimmy Voegeli on keyboards and vocals, they upstaged Dave Mason and blew the crowd away with their swing blues (Voegeli also got up to jam with Tinsley Ellis). Watch out for the Jimmys, a band on the move" - Arnold Goodman, Elmore Magazine.The Jimmys have been ripping up stages with their blend of blues, soul, funk and R&B for nearly 10 years. Award-winning keyboardist/singer/songwriter Jimmy Voegeli has put together an all-star lineup: Perry Weber, veteran blues guitarist/singer/songwriter; Mauro Magellan, of the Georgia Satellites; John Wartenweiler with his powerful bass lines and deep groove; the Amateur Horn Stars - Pete Ross, Saxophone; and Mike Boman, trumpet - combine 40+ years' experience touring the world with Clyde Stubblefield, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Youngblood Brass Band, B.B. King and his All Stars, and many others. With multiple awards and a growing legion of fans you gotta get yourself to their next show to find out what everyone's hollerin' about.Keep up to date here and on Facebook & Twitter for tour dates, pictures, and video from the road. https://thejimmys.net/home​

Recent Awards:2015-2018 Keyboardist of the Year, WAMI (2015) & MAMA Awards2014-2018 Blues Performer of the Year, MAMA Awards2018 Brass - Trumpet of the Year, MAMA Award2016, 2017 Blues Album of the Year, MAMA Awards2014, 2016, 2017 Blues Song of the Year, MAMA Awards2014, 2015, 2017 Brass Instrumentalist of the Year, MAMA Awards2016 Best Albums of 2016, Downbeat Magazine2016 Blues Band, Gold Winner, Best of Madison2016 Best Swing Band of the Year, WAMI Award2015, 2016 Woodwind Instrumentalist of the Year, MAMA Awards2015 Blues Band, Gold Winner, Best of Madison2014 Artist of the Year, MAMA Award2014 Bassist of the Year, MAMA Award

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BACKTRACK BLUES BAND- opening for The Jimmy'shttp://www.backtrackbluesband.com/index.php​ The Backtrack Blues Band is one of Florida's longest running and most accomplished blues bands. Founded in 1980, the group has performed continuously for over 30 years. Backtrack's high energy Chicago-style blues with exceptional guitar, harp, and vocals, has made the band a constant on the Florida blues concert, club, and festival scene for over three decades.The group has established a strong reputation for creative songwriting and has released five CDs and a DVD of original music, all of which charted on the U.S. blues radio charts. The band released its newest CD, "Way Back Home," in 2016, and it represents Backtrack's best recording to date. The record is receiving international radio play and has positioned the band to gain a much wider following. In the words of Art Tipaldi, Editor of Blues Music Magazine, "On its fifth CD, 'Way Back Home', the first class band has recorded one of its strongest traditional blues recordings to date and is now poised to carry its musical message to a larger audience."The quintet consists of Sonny Charles on harmonica and vocals, Kid Royal on lead guitar and vocals, Little Johnny Walter on rhythm guitar and vocals, Stick Davis on bass, and Joe Bencomo on drums. Backtrack has appeared as an opening act in concert with many legendary blues artists including B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Gregg Allman, Robert Cray, Johnny Winter, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and others. The group has also been recognized by the Tampa Bay community as a leader in the blues music arena by garnering three Tampa Bay Music Awards as the area's "Best Blues Band."The band members are serious students of blues music and bring a lot of authenticity and talent to the group. Sonny Charles and Little Johnny formed the band in 1980 and have played together for over 35 years. Sonny is an accomplished blues harmonica player, whose tone and style are reminiscent of Little Walter and Paul Butterfield. Kid Royal has appeared at many major blues festivals throughout Canada and America, and his style is influenced by the great Texas guitar players. He is widely respected as one of the very top guitarists in Florida.Joe Bencomo is an exceptional drummer, who has played in the best blues and jazz bands in Tampa Bay for over 40 years. Little Johnny adds solid rhythm guitar and backup vocals to the band. Stick Davis is a gifted bass player, and he was a founding member of the Amazing Rhythm Aces and has traveled the world, touring with BB King, John Mayall, Al Green, Jesse Winchester, Pure Prairie League, and others.Together, these guys comprise one of Florida's best and most accomplished blues bands, and their live show is an original and exciting display of electric blues at its very best! The band's leader has significant experience in producing top quality blues music shows, having founded and managed the award-winning Tampa Bay Blues Festival for over 20 years.

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Back by Popular DemandNRBQ in ConcertFriday March 29, 2019Doors 7pm/ Show 730pm$35 in Advance/$40 at door(if available)

You know the band, you know the songs and we all know it’ll be party time when NRBQ appears on our stage - hot on the heels of the just-released Happy Talk EP. You might think that after 50 years, a band would want to settle down and just relax. If you do, you don’t know the Q! “NRBQ remains impressively vibrant and cheerfully committed, and indeed embody the idea that rock 'n' roll can be a fountain of youth.” —New London Day In 2016, NRBQ’s 5-disc, 50-year retrospective High Noon landed on Top Picks lists in Rolling Stone, the New York Times, Goldmine, and more. Fifty years of celebrating is worth celebrating!Come celebrate with us.NRBQ is Terry Adams, Scott Ligon, Casey McDonough, and John Perrin. “NRBQ” stands for New Rhythm and Blues Quartet. The band’s music, a rollicking blend of everything from stomping rockabilly to Beatles-influenced pop to Thelonious Monk-inspired jazz.

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J. Klein (Justin Kleinhoffer)28 year old Singer/songwriter/musician Justin Kleinhoffer, professionally known as J. Klein, has been performing since 2004 as a solo artist as well as a member of the Chicago-based duo "Etna & The Mammoth" (2011) and as a recording and touring member of the St. Louis-based rock group "EFFIC" (2009) J. Klein has now established artistic residency and performs solo regularly in the Tampa / St. Petersburg, FL metropolitan area.J. Klein is the winner of 2015 SSA Songwriter Of The Year.Logging in hundreds live performances and countless recording studio hours, J. KIein has performed as a solo artist at a variety of music venues - clubs, wineries, coffee house, bar-restaurants, college campuses, concert halls - as well as outdoor festivals.

Shaun Hopper-Acoustic "fingerstyle" guitar player/wizard Shaun Hopper is at first glance an unassuming presence, a true southern gentleman whose humility stands in sharp contrast to the prodigious talents he unveils on stage. Merging complex melodic lines, harmony and bass lines along with a one-of-a-kind percussive technique, he mesmerizes everyone within earshot.

His original compositions and pop covers are infused with a cutting edge resonance found only in the new breed of You Tube virtuosos, including players like Adam Rafferty, Don Ross and Andy McKee, and yet he remains loyal to his roots. His overall approach to guitar remains inspired by the legends; Andre Segovia, Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Hedges, George Benson, Martin Taylor, Leo Kottke and Chet Atkins. The final result is a "signature style" which crosses over the full range of musical genres, including; Alternative, Folk, Classical, Celtic, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues and Percussive-New Age.